The Mexico-Texan

Américo Paredes

After the United States acquired the northern part of Mexico through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexicans living in those areas were stripped off their properties and identities. Even though they had the option of remaining on these lands, these Mexican citizens were now considered American citizens, and therefore had to abide by new rules, and adopt a new culture, the ‘gringo’ culture.

In his poem “The Mexico-Texan” Américo Paredes, describes the tension and discrimination felt from Mexicans living in the southwest, as they struggled to find a sense of belonging and identity. Paredes best encapsulates this feeling of loss with his line “ the Mexico-Texan he no gotta lan’.” I believe this line not only captures a sense of loss felt by Mexicans, but also dehumanizes the "Mexico-Texan” as his land, his identity and his history are seized from him. The use of “Mexico-Texan” to describe people living in the southwest, demonstrates the complicity of this two cultures, for they cannot form one, but live co-dependent of each other. This is also evident as Paredes writes this poem using both languages, which illustrates his difficulty in expressing himself using only one language.

In conclusion“ The Mexico-Texan” along with other poems and corridos from the 1930s and 1940s tried to depict the life of Chicanos, and create a sense of identity. Paredes with a protesting voice, describes the submissive role Chicanos have in the United States, where they are used and manipulated for political reasons and self-benefit.